Antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of crabapple juices

Juices prepared from 42 crabapples (Malus spp.) were studied attempting to explore their antiproliferative activity. Most of the juices examined showed strong inhibition of the proliferation of HL-60 human leukemia cells. The amounts of total phenolics and total anthocyanins, as well as DPPH radical scavenging activity were measured. The antiproliferative effect was more correlated to the amount of polyphenol than of anthocyanins. Generally speaking, the stronger was the DPPH radical scavenging activity, the higher was the antiproliferation shown of HL-60. The colors and sizes of fruit and the colors of flower were not strongly correlated to antiproliferative activity, although all of the middle size (1 to 3 cm in diameter) fruits examined showed strong HL-60 antiproliferative and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The results suggested that utilizing crabapple juice as a processed food and beverage contributes to the maintenance of good health.